Ebbw Vale 34 Bargoed 10

Ebbw Vale 34 Bargoed 10

EBBW Vale took their time to get into this ill-disciplined game, but once they got going, they scored some impressive tries and deserved their bonus-point win over relegation-threatened Bargoed, writes Ian Golden.

The visitors, following their dramatic win over Swansea last week, started the game in the ascendancy and pounded the Ebbw line in the opening stages of the game, the home team doing well to keep Bargoed out.

However, a 13th minute sinbin for Ebbw’s Aneurin Owen for persistent offending gave the visitors further confidence and straight away Ashley Norton crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.

Ebbw were temporarily reduced to 13 men after Rob Sevenoaks was shown yellow for a high tackle, so when they were awarded a penalty 40 metres from goal, they chose to kick to waste a bit of time. Rhys Jones gave it a hefty strike but the ball sailed centimetres wide.

Despite not getting on the board, the tactic had worked. Owen returned to the field just before play resumed and within minutes Ebbw were awarded another penalty, this time a bit closer to the sticks and Jones slotted it home.

Jones couldn’t convert the next chance, which would have given his side the lead, but following all the shenanigans leading to that kick, Ebbw were back to a full complement of players.

They eventually took the lead on 34 minutes in their first real piece of pressure on the Bargoed line. Lloyd Evans forced his way over, Jones’ kick again going agonisingly wide.

That score gave Ebbw some confidence and they ran in their second try moments after kick-off to give them a 13-5 lead at the break. Paul King was given a clear run down the wing to score with Jones missing a kick for the fourth time in the half.

There was controversy 10 minutes into the second half after the referee initially awarded Ebbw Vale a penalty try.

However, after consultation with his assistants, he reversed that decision, sinbinned Bargoed’s Grant Rogers, and awarded Ebbw a penalty instead. They kicked to touch and from the line-out, Rhys Jones got the try and converted it himself.

From kick-off, Ebbw made it safe. Dafydd Howells showed a nice bit of skill by catching his own chip kick and ran 30 metres to the line to secure his side a winning bonus point. Jones converted.

Late on in the game, Cameron Regan became the third Ebbw player to be sinbinned and Bargoed took full advantage, Darren Humphies scoring an unconverted consolation try.

But when Ebbw were back to 15 men for the final seconds of the match, Lloyd Evans scored their fifth try and Jones converted as the final whistle blew.

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